How to avoid the risks of "groupthink"
Groupthink can result when a group is
highly cohesive, insulated from outside perspectives, has a strong directive leader and
has been highly successful in the past. Groupthink symptoms include an
illusion of invulnerability, collective efforts to rationalize every thing the group does
as morally right, stereotypical views of outsiders, and self-appointed ‘mind
guards’ who discourage members in the group from expressing dissent or disagreement
thereby creating an illusion of unanimity about the team’s decisions.
Team
leaders can help avoid groupthink by:
Keeping
everyone, even people with different views, in the discussions,
Bringing
in outside perspectives,
Critically
evaluating policy issues and norms within the group, and
Using
a more participatory leadership style.
The
group can set up protections against group think by appointing a devil’s advocate as
a role, and by rotating roles and group members.